TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET Most people don’t think much about their feet, until a foot begins to hurt. Damage to even one bone, ligament, or muscle in the foot can be very painful and make it difficult or impossible for you to keep on your feet and do your job. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that work related foot… read more
WORKPLACE DISTRACTION When we do accident investigations, a lot of times we’ll find injuries can be attributed to some type of distraction. Although it may not be possible to eliminate distractions, experts say steps can be taken to minimize them and recognize when they occur. Different types of distractions When people… read more
At this year's APEX gala, Stan Marek received the AGC Houston Master Builder Award. Every two years, this prestigious honor is presented to an individual or organization that has significantly contributed to advancing the commercial environment in the greater Houston area. This award is about more than construction; it's about shaping the city,… read more
Close Calls/Near Misses Are Wake-Up Calls Notice to Supervisors: Read and be prepared to answer questions. Every employee should know to report near misses to their immediate supervisor. At MAREK we expect everyone to report unsafe conditions and actions, as stated in PROJECT SAFE. A near miss is… read more
Even a simple extension cords needs to be looked after. It’s a shock or fire hazard when deteriorated, worn-out or used improperly. Three-wire cords are for outdoor appliances and electric power tools. The third wire is a ground. Never plug these cords into an ungrounded electrical outlet. Don’t… read more
WHY SAFETY Why is accident prevention so important? Do you view accident prevention as simply a way to avoid getting hurt? Do you work safely just because you want to? Perhaps you view accident prevention as a way of keeping the company happy or your supervisor off your back. Maybe you just do it because you have… read more
WAR ON FALLS SUSPENSION RECAP ZERO TOLERANCE These zero tolerances mean that certain unsafe employee actions will automatically result in suspension from work. So that employees understand what these actions are that will result in suspension, we will recap the WAR ON FALLS safety violations that will result in a… read more
Suicide Prevention Suicide is a leading cause of death among working-age adults in the United States. It deeply impacts workers, families, and communities. Fortunately, like other workplace fatalities, suicides can be prevented. Below are 5 things to know about preventing suicide 1. Be AwareEveryone can help prevent suicide.… read more
SIGNS & BARRICADES A barricade is a portable or fixed device with three rails and appropriate markings. It is used to control traffic by closing, restricting, or delineating all or a portion of the right-of-way. Barricades are physical obstructions such as walls, guardrails, screens, tapes, or cones intended to warn and limit access to a… read more
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART III DISCIPLINARY POLICY All companies, no matter what their business, have certain rules of behavior, which must be observed to ensure a productive, safe operation. The Marek Companies are no exception. For the welfare of all of us who work together on a day-to-day basis, certain… read more
Stay Hydrated Water The natural choice for hydration is water. It hydrates better than any other liquid, both before and during work. Water tends to be less expensive and more available than any other drink. You need to drink 4-6 ounces of water for every 15-20 minutes of work. That can add up to a lot of water! Water is the best,… read more
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART II ACCIDENTS In the event an employee is involved in an accident or sustains an injury while on the job, they must report it to their supervisor immediately regardless of its severity. First aid supplies are normally maintained at jobsites to take care of certain minor injuries. … read more
HAZARD ANALYSIS WORKING AROUND SPRINKLERS OR ELECTRICAL AREAS Notice to Supervisors: Read and prepare for safety meeting. Make sure all employees understand the importance of following our Hazard Analysis and the procedures to work around sprinkler and electrical areas. Electricity has long been recognized as a… read more
Employee HandbookPART I ATTENDANCE Regular and on-time attendance is essential to the efficient operations of the Company and is an essential function of every employee’s job. Excessive absenteeism, tardiness, or early departures are not only inconvenient, but they are also costly problems. While it is recognized that occasional illness… read more
FLOOR OPENINGS Safely covering a floor opening with a piece of plywood requires more than just laying down the material over the hole, or even nailing it down. Total on-the-job safety means a total job of eliminating a hazard. Half a job or inadequate or incomplete jobs of covering hole hazards can result… read more
WORKPLACE DISTRACTION When we do accident investigations, a lot of times we’ll find injuries can be attributed to some type of distraction. Although it may not be possible to eliminate distractions, experts say steps can be taken to minimize them and recognize when they occur. Different types of Distractions When people… read more
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Noise is one of the most common health problems in workplaces today. Right now, about 30 million workers are exposed to high noise levels. If you’re one of those workers, you may be losing some of your hearing. And you might not realize it until it’s too late!!! Most of… read more
SEVERE WEATHER WHY TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER? Actually, we have no control over rain, snow, sleet, wind, lightning or sunshine. But we can control what happens on our job as a result of the elements. Some of the biggest problems in construction jobs are caused by wind and lightning. Wind probably causes the most accidents; lightning can be… read more
THE HEAT If you are not sweating or you have not urinated, is it a sign of dehydration. Did you know that after a holiday weekend, most people who consume alcohol are more exposed to dehydration? Drinking alcoholic beverages in hot weather can have serious consequences. During extreme heat, we sweat more, and drinking… read more
WAR ON FALLS 3 KEYS TO WORK SAFE ON LADDERSGrab a ladder. Stand it up and climb. So simple anyone can do it, right?But if it really were all that simple, 130,000 people wouldn’t get hurt on ladders each year, would they?Most ladder accidents are caused by improper selection, setup, or use, not defects. SELECTIONBe sure the ladder… read more